# NTSB LAX83FA448: Bell 47G, N62221, Oceanside, CA, September 19, 1983

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Field investigation · Final report
- Date: September 19, 1983, 07:45 local (14:45 UTC)
- Place: Oceanside, CA
- Coordinates: 33.200401, -117.249046 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=33.2004&lon=-117.2490&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Initial climb](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/350) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 23512
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=LAX83FA448
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/23512/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX83FA448

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - nonmechanical, takeoff - initial climb
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (cause)
  - fluid,fuel - starvation (cause)
  - fuel tank selector position - improper, pilot in command (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command (contributing factor)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, landing - flare/touchdown
  - terrain condition - rough/uneven (contributing factor)
  - terrain condition - high vegetation (contributing factor)

## Analysis

SHORTLY AFTER TAKEOFF, THE ENG LOST POWER AT AN ALT OF APRX 400 FT AGL. AN AUTOROTATIVE LANDING WAS MADE ON UNEVEN TERRAIN BESIDE A STREAM WITH WEEDS APRX 3 FT HIGH. DURING TOUCHDOWN, THE MAIN ROTOR STRUCK THE TAIL BOOM. AN INSPECTION OF THE ENGINE REVEALED NO MALFUNCTION. THE PLT STATED THAT HE SUSPECTED FUEL STARVATION, IN THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THE FUEL SELECTOR VALVE IN THE PROPER POSITION AT TAKEOFF TIME.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N62221](https://openairdocs.org/aircraft/N62221), registered now, S/N 16, built 1947 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: BELL 47G
- Registry model: [Bell 47G](https://openairdocs.org/model/bell-47g) (registry code 1181002) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Lycoming VO-435 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/lycoming-vo-435-series) (registry code 41525, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 816
- Airframe hours: 7803
- Engines: FRANKLIN O-335 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Robert H. Campo
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, April 23, 1983, 26 hours before
- Departed: L32, OCEANSIDE, CA

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 47; commercial; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--w/ waivers/lim; seat: left; flight hours: 20,000 total, 3,000 in this make and model, 19,800 as pilot in command, 300 in the last 90 days, 100 in the last 30 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: calm
- Visibility: 20 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 70 °F

## Other investigations on N62221 (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB LAX81DVM17](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX81DVM17), Mar 17, 1981: Bell 47G (N62221), Pescadero, CA, destroyed
- [NTSB LAX76FUA32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/LAX76FUA32), Sep 8, 1976: Bell 47G (N62221), San Pedro, CA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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